Connecting the dots between Catholic faith and culture

Five Biblical Lists of Mortal Sins

In a kind of follow up from yesterday’s blog on the call to repentance, it seems it might be helpful to list what the Bible describes as some of the more serious sins.

One of the great deceptions of our time is that serious sin is a remote possibility for most people, and that it is only committed by very wicked people. And too many people assess their moral standing with unhelpful slogans such as “I’m basically a good person,” or “I haven’t murdered anybody.”

We have to be more serious and mature in our discernment than this. Of course God does not leave us in such a fog of uncertainty. His word is actually quite clear to list some of the more serious sins that we ought to be aware of so that we can humbly recognize our tendency to do these very things.

Rather than give lots of commentary, I just want to post five biblical lists of the more serious sins that exclude one from the kingdom of God. Saying that these are sins that “exclude one from the kingdom of heaven” is the biblical way of saying they are mortal sins.

It remains true that some of the sins listed, such as lying, can admit of lighter matter. But as we all know, there are very serious and harmful lies that we can all tell.

And so the Lord, in love wants to urgently warn us of the sins that exclude us from heaven. In all the lists that follow, avoid adopting a legalistic mentality. Take them to heart and allow them to become part of your daily moral reflection. The Lord warns us in love that sin is very serious. Even smaller sins, unattended to, begin to grow like a cancer and can ultimately kill us spiritually.

Be serious about it, do not buy into the deception that makes light of sin. God loves us, and because he loves us, he warns us that unrepentant sin is very serious and can rob our hearts of the desire for God, heaven and the good things waiting for us there.

Here then are five lists. they are not exhaustive and there are other sins mentioned elsewhere (e.g. refusal to forgive, cf Matt 6:15) Please reflect on, and share these lists.

1 Cor 6:9-10 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were.

Gal 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Eph 5:3-6 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No sexually immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

Rev. 22:12-16 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Matt 25:41-46 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

And finally just a general warning from the Lord:

John 5:28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Here is Allegri’s Miserere (Psalm 51) Have mercy on me O God According to thy great Kindness.

61 Responses

The Greek word is morologia and refers to the “talk of fools, involving foolishness and sinning together” It is to exult sin and other forms of foolishness that make light of such matters and causes others to make light of sin or consider it glamorous. Thus rather than exult wisdom and holy behavior, though who engage in morologia exult foolish behavior and thereby draw others to a base mind or conduct.

Sounds like much of modern entertainment. If these lists are mortal sins, it would seem that many of us who go to daily mass shouldn’t, since there is no daily confession. I’m not trying to be flippant. I’m asking for guidance.

Good point. Since mortal sin is such a serious matter and since Paul’s list of mortal sins is so all-encompassing, you would think that the Church would make it a priority to have confession more readily available.

I would talk to your Bishop if you can’t find daily confession. Where I live, I have three churches
in easy proximity that offer daily Mass and a many more if I want to drive more than 10 miles.
Confession should be available every day.

Confession *is* available every day. You need to grab the priest and ask for it. A priest who is asked to hear confession may not refuse the penitent.

You may attend Mass if you are in the state of mortal sin. You may not receive the Holy Eucharist until you have confessed the sin and performed the penance required.

“The Imitation of Christ” gives many suggestions on controlling the tongue and avoiding foolish, empty and, some-times sinful talk. All of us need to keep better custody of the tongue. This is not easy in a time filled with gadgets that lure us into empty, worthless, and, yes, sinful talk.

Gina,
Your remark about grabbing a priest is not entirely correct. Most will out of charity hear a Confession, but if you were to walk up to a priest on the street, in the airport, at the grocery store, etc. and ask for him to hear your confession they do have the right refuse. Most won’t, but if you start to confess something small like you cut someone off in traffic then I understand from our pastor that a priest can cut you off right there and tell you to go to confession in accordance with a parish schedule (or schedule one if that is how it is done). Not to mention, while it is true their job is to attend to the spiritual well-being of all mankind, they likewise have errands to run, appointments to keep, and a personal life that involves socializing with friends and family away from church. Too many people forget that we should respect their “office hours” just as we expect others to respect ours.

Not all places have the Sacrament open. For instance, the Cathedral in Portland, Maine does not have Confession available. I know. That was my parish church. They also did not have a Tabernacle, that I, nor anybody else was ever aware of.

Although the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is related to the reception of Holy Eucharist, participation in the former does not necessitate the participation in the latter.

So for me, being “un-absolved” of mortal sin/s should never preclude me from attending any Mass (daily or Sunday or Holy day of Obligation) but sure should stop me from going to the line for communion. The mass is an act of worship and the participation comes in when we bring our minds (and bodies) into what is going on: the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. Receiving the Eucharist, however, is not required.

Being not properly disposed to receive the Eucharist should not be the reason for not attending any Holy Mass.

Hi there,
ok, but why go to mass if not to receive The Eucharist? The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. If we didn’t have Jesus in the Eucharist one should go the easy way…Protestantism.

Elizabeth,
One should still go to mass even if in a state of mortal sin since the congregants aren’t there just to receive the Holy Eucharist. The mass is all of the following:

a public statement before God and other Christians of our guilt, the intention to repent, and a request for prayer for salvation of our souls;
worship, thanksgiving, and praise of God for his love, goodness, and mercy;
a time of communion with all members of the Church Militant, not just those in your parish, as well as with the Church Suffering and the Church Triumphant;
and of course, the offering of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb for our salvation and gaining of additional graces through partaking of the Holy Eucharist.

Something to consider is that even if one were in a state of mortal sin and used that as a reason to not go to mass, then they would be compounding the state of their soul by committing another mortal sin (assuming it was Sunday or other Holyday of Obligation).

I for one find it just as joyous an experience to attend mass in a state of mortal sin as I do in a state of sanctifying grace.

Thank you for pointing out these basic truths of our faith, Monsignor. I’m thinking about a magazine I used to read as a young woman, until I woke up to the fact that it was all dross. Worse than dross, actually. It was the Cosmopolitan. I feel deep sorrow for having once been a subscriber. The magazine’s appeal is in urging women to be all they can be, and that fortune favors the bold, but it’s subversive at the same time. Have affairs at the office, find that perfect little black dress. But then there was the scandal of the young woman who got involved with the former occupant of The White House. She was that Cosmo girl. But she didn’t end up with the boss or the great job.

I feel sorrow for her, and I acknowledge that I too am a sinner. Sorry for rambling!

Thank you….I am being forgiven all the time. I went to a class on ethics in the Catholic tradition and though I had repented of all my sins in the past, I realised that there were still more specific things. I went to the local Cathedral and straight to Confession. The moment I went into the Confessional Grace met me. It was wonderful…tears and I found myself saying how grateful I was to God for this opportunity to tell Him these things. I was quite swept away but God is so lovely like that. The priest was kind. Its all taken care of. I thank God he has given me the desire to pray often to Him. I hope in this way to stay close and I think it helps so much with discernment. Glory to God.

Forgive me Father but I just can’t help but wonder if you’ve got the right angle on the passages that you’ve plucked from Scripture to make your point about which sins are mortal. All I can say is “Whew! Thank God I’m not like those unclean folk out there with their messy sexuality, sorcery, and drunken good times” – funny how the pharisees received the strongest reproaches from our Lord – I wonder what upset him so much?

Anyways. I was just thinking that the quotes from St. Paul seem to more obviously be about a certain pattern of desire that excludes God (rather than being excluded by him of course) from making his dwelling in us – and of inviting us into a new life in a new creation, and so on, and that being blown hither and tither by lusts, drunkenness, boasting, rivalry, competitive strife, the pursuit of money, and all that, was liable to lend us into the hell of frustrated desire and rebellion? It seems, on the contrary, that to the holy all things are holy, and that nothing is forbidden in itself?

Perhaps the most interesting bit is the words of the Word himself – he doesn’t talk about sexual immorality, drunkenness, boasting, sodomy, or anything boring and messy like that, rather he reserves condemnation for those who did not help and persecuted the innocent, the marginalized, the unwanted – those who are hated because they are different, etc.

The quote from Revelation is Jesus Speaking. Further you might take a gander at few things Jesus said on the topic:

Matt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’e 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Messy enough for you? Please read scripture more carefully. Also avoid false dichotomies such as driving a wedge between what Jesus said or didn’t say from what his appointed apostles said. There is one Holy Spirit.

I have never heard anyone ever explain clearly what Jesus is teaching us when He speaks about gouging one gouging out his right eye. People quote, but the people who quote it don’t explain it. People, almost always, look at things with both eyes.

In other words, be willing to take serious or drastic action to prevent this sin, such as cutting the cable, cancelling the subscription, avoiding certain company etc. The gouging of the eye is hyperbole, but the teaching means that it is more serious to lose one’s eye than to sin in this manner.

Yes, I agree. I, also, think it should be noted that the teaching is a hyperbole on top of a hyperbole. The first hyperbole is cutting off one’s own hand. The hyperbole on top of that is looking at something with only one eye, which people can do, but almost never do do, and then gouging out that eye. One problem with looking at the teaching as only hyperbole is that people, especially Protestants, can say that He was using hyperbole when He told us to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.–and then point to His teaching about gouging out one’s eye and cutting off one’s hand. In my opinion, He must be telling us something more concrete in that teaching.

A man can sin by taking something that isn’t his to take. For example, when David had Uriah the Hittiite murdered and took Bathsheba for his wife.

A man can sin by knowing something that isn’t his to know. For example, engaging in prostitution.–or any sort of carnal knowledge outside of marriage.

The first example is how the lust of the flesh is like a hand.–since we use are hands to take things. The second example is how the lust of the flesh is like an eye.–since the eyes are used mostly for knowing.

Monsignor Pope has corrected your false assertion and in addition to what he has written you also need to remember what St. John teaches us, that much of what Christ said and did is not recorded in Scripture.

“Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.” John 20:30

“But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.” John 21:25

The oft utilized tactic of claiming “Jesus never said anything about …” is a specious, at best, attempt to justify the exercise of enabling and condoning sinful behavior.

A most excellent list, Monsignor. I’m in the midst of preparing our neophytes for their first confession. Appreciate the biblical sources you have given here. It is a bit easier to prepare neophytes because their slate was wiped clean on Easter Vigil night, but it’s interesting to me how keenly aware they are of their sins in that neophyte time period. Holy Spirit at work!

I believe the end of Romans Chapter 1 verse 26-28 also calls out homosexual behavior. I was surprised to hear a Lutheran friend inform me his church (ecclesial community) just issued a document to their members accepting this behavior. I referred my friend to to this first letter from Paul in the New Testament. I am glad to be a true bible christian, a catholic that is, but I still pray from my baptized brothers and sisters and those that have not been baptized. It is just great to revel in the fact on occasion that we are on the winning side. Alleluia!

“Of course God does not leave us in such a fog of uncertainty.” Speaking of fog, reminds me of a story that my sister told me: A guide was about to lead a large group of people on a long trip through a forest. As they are about to head out, he pauses and says, “Wait a minute. Let me get my map out.” Someone in the group says, “If there is a map, then what do we need a guide for?” The guide replies, “The fog isn’t on the map.”

Yes, it is a disordered passion in that it is directed to an end that is “out of order” since it does not attain to the end or purpose of sex. The disorder is not per se sinful (any more than (say) the desire to bite one’s nails). Homosexual acts are sinful, as are heterosexual acts not properly ordered to the end or purpose of sex such as masturbation, contraception and other acts not necessary to mention on a “family” blog.

Also, it is good to think of the homosexual acts as the MISUSE of the instrument that God gave each one of us.
Here is an analogy, you don’t want to use the guitar as a hammer to hammer down a nail (but of course I see this in rock concert). LOL!
Since, two homosexual couples can’t produce a baby with an eternal soul, the homosexual act reveals a misuse of the sexual instruments.
But liberal people will argue with “What about the couple who are infertile?” Well, they are just infertile, but they DID NOT PURPOSELY MISUSE God’s instruments!

I really enjoy your choice of topics on your blogs. This is a very relevant subject in out day. I have had many conversations with family and friends on the subject of sin and it seem to keep coming up over and over again. Since the object of mans will is “the good” it seems we intuitively see it in ourselves, but knowing that there is such a thing as evil we imagine that there are people out there that our able to will something evil as evil. But this is never the case since mans will is incapable of willing anything other than under the aspect of some kind of good. Since all will good, but in a disordered way if evil, and well ordered if truly good.
While we are all sinners and suffer the effects of original sin it is a mercy for God to give us a “list” we might even say “the Law” backed up by his authority so that we can see ourselves and question ourselves when we see that we have done any one of those things and ask ourselves what is the nature of evil. Since without the law we do not clearly see our desire for “good” things as being often disordered.

After 25 years I am trying to build up the courage to go back to confession. I read the gospel daily and am trying very hard to control my issues with rage and avoid unclean thoughts and pornography. I am also on a treadmill trying to continue to earn money so my family is comfortable but it is too much. I fear leaving the job that provides but know I need to be providing more for my family. I wish could flick a switch and just change into the person I know I need to be. Please pray for me because this is my anonymous confession.

Tomorrow is the feast of one of the most revered of all saints, Saint Lawrence. St. Lawrence showed great courage and strength in the face of a horrific martyrdom. So, I would encourage you to pray to St. Lawrence for courage and strength, Jay.

I will pray that you are able to go to the sacrament of confession soon, as this is not a place for you to receive the blessing of absolution. I urge you to go soon! Once you have been cleansed from your sin, you will be a clean vessel for the Holy Spirit to work in your life, especially the area of your employment. There is no greater gift than being forgiven of your sins.

Jay, please take the bull by the horns and go back to confession. The devil has you precisely where he wants you–in the state of obstinate, unabsolved mortal sin. I went to confession after 22 years out of the church, about 20 years ago, and have stayed “back in the church” ever since. Believe me when I say, based upon personal experience, that you are never going to get control of your personal demons for so long as you remain the state of mortal sin–things are only going to get worse.
Once you do go, be prepared to experience a horrible darkness, weight, numbness disappear, almost miraculously. Once back in the state of sanctifying grace, you will then be guided by God towards healing and wholeness of life.
Once you go to confession, do not fear to “let it all hang out.” There is nothing you can possibly say in a confessional that would seriously shock any Catholic priest–our dear pastor says sometimes, “hit me with your best shot! There are no new sins! I’ve heard them all, and anything you tell me, I could probably top, if I were permitted to.”
On Catholic radio, sometimes they have exorcist-priests on who universally testify that a single valid confession and absolution will do more to break Satan’s power than 1,000 exorcisms. Because in confession, you are personally repudiating Satan, sin and evil.
Catharine

I never have heard a priest at Sunday Mass ever talk about a list of mortal sins. I think it is limited to two in most Catholics minds…adultery and murder. Any reason why we never hear about it? We follow avidly news about toxins in our environment, carcinogenic agents in our makeup, the unhealthy genetically modified food supply but rarely are aware of the deadly poisons to our eternal life.
Please could we hear about these sins once in awhile?

So, where would immodesty fall into things, you know, like women wearing clothes that reveal their breasts, especially in church or other places that one might come to expecting a small vestige of holiness? ☺

I think the excerpt from Ephesians above is pretty clear, Deb. “Impurity” would undoubtedly capture revealing clothing. That’s why young women who attempt to enter one of the major basilicas of Rome are forced to cover up if they are revealing too much. Here in North America, of course, things are more lax.

2521 Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity.

2522 Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love. It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships; it requires that the conditions for the definitive giving and commitment of man and woman to one another be fulfilled. Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet.

2523 There is a modesty of the feelings as well as of the body. It protests, for example, against the voyeuristic explorations of the human body in certain advertisements, or against the solicitations of certain media that go too far in the exhibition of intimate things. Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies.

2524 The forms taken by modesty vary from one culture to another. Everywhere, however, modesty exists as an intuition of the spiritual dignity proper to man. It is born with the awakening consciousness of being a subject. Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person.

“Certain fashions will be introduced which will offend My Son very much.” The Blessed Mother to Jacinta at Fatima.

Msgr. Pope,
I find it interesting, as I posted 1Cor 6:9-10 on my Facebook page over the weekend, that is all I post is scripture for the argumentative relatives to rant and rave that I am too judgmental. My Niece replied, what is the point of living if we are all going to hell, as she and others never really read scripture and cannot tell what is pre or post a passage and they have never read Jesus condemning fornication anyway.

Naive H. is ready and willing to say Jesus never said that or that because he never read it in scripture, yet he could not have read scripture thoroughly or he would know that Jesus holds these views as they have been relayed to us through the Apostles via the Holy Spirit. More people should read Acts, Corinthians and Romans or am I wrong in stating one must read all of the scripture and not cherry pick passages that they like to make them feel better.

Oh Heavenly Father I am a sinner and I pray you have Mercy on my soul, Lord Jesus I pray you lead us to Heaven especially those in most need of your Mercy.

Monsignor Pope, do the many references to greed refer primarily to food? Or money? Or a mixture of these and other things we can seek after. I have struggled most of my life with being greedy with food. Am I constantly falling into mortal sin when I have those extra tablespoons of food for pleasure when I am already nourished after a good meal? Please help me understand. God bless you always dear Father

Well said Monsignor,
My heart is sad reading through the comments. It appears some one has failed these folks. A return to the basics after a losing season is what a football team would do. It appears to this old man it’s three generations, and maybe a return to the Baltimore Catechism is in order. Something has failed miserably.

I have witnessed over the past few years, Confession disappearing when new pastors took over parishes I attended. Unfortunately, the month of June is one I never eagerly anticipate. In one parish, Confession was taken away because it followed the Saturday 7:30pm Mass which was removed from the Mass schedule. Similarly, in another parish, Confession following a 7:30pm Saturday Mass was eliminated because that Mass was removed from the schedule. Recently, in the second parish I just mentioned, Confession which followed the 8am daily Mass has now been taken away. A few days ago, I called another parish to schedule an appointment with a priest for Confession and was told by the secretary that confessions were only heard on Saturdays and the eves of holy days. Despite the fact that I had just told her that I was calling to schedule an appointment, she would not help me any further. This is the state of the modern-day American parish. Weekday Confession is needed by people such as myself who work long, rotating schedules as in the nursing field, where it is required to work every other three-day weekend; thereby leaving no possibility, depending upon the hours worked, to go to Saturday Confession (typically 4-5pm).

I have been struggling with the subject of homosexuality. I became friends with a person in the church who confessed to me of his sexual preference. I always thought these people where just …..confused. Although he said no. he knew he was different at a young age and does not have any relationships now although He has in the past what does JESUS say about this not Paul or any one other than the LORD. I have very deep feelings for this man I want him to be so much in my life. I just am very confused and sorrowful about this . can you help?

Why do you divide Jesus from his appointed representatives, the apostles? Further, do you thing there are certain books of the Bible that are not inspired by the Holy Spirit? Do you parse out Scripture, some of it spiritual and some of it sinful?

In some churches in the U.S., confessions are listed as “by appointment.” In some churches the “confessionals” have been removed entirely.
The American Catholic Church simply is not teaching much about sin any more. These biblical “homilies” were a big mistake; nothing but Bible studies in miniature.
Except for one deacon in my parish (I live in Wyoming), not a single priest has said anything in years about abortion, contraception, or euthanasia. Some of our deacons are more courageous than our priests. BTW, I am for women deacons. How long, Pope Francis?
BTW, you can go to confession every day in the week here in Cheyenne; St. Mary’s Cathedral hears them every day, as does my own parish, Holy Trinity. Wyoming is different. (Is that the sin of pride?)
Msgr. Pope, you’re a great priest and a courageous man.

A year ago I hurt my lower back with pain radiating down my leg. If I am sedentary, there is no pain, but if I exercise in any way, the pain returns. I went to a doctor, who sent me to a physical therapist. She recommended pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise. To accomplish that, masturbation seems to be the only way I can get the correct muscles to completely contract. I know those are the correct muscles because it elicits the pain response has been with me this whole last year. I’m not sure what to do about this. I am Catholic, and have had to go to confession before Sunday mass to be able to participate fully. Does motive for masturbation ever excuse this or any other Mortal Sin?

If I haven’t made it to confession, I don’t receive communion, but do go forward for a blessing. It always makes me feel like people are looking at me wondering what I’ve done that I can’t receive the host. That in itself is a self-imposed penance…at least for me.